For USB UHD drives, how to extract the real drive from its USB enclosure?

First of all, make sure that UHD Drive Tool interface has identified your USB drive and suggested that a firmware change is available. For instance, LG BP60NB10 or Pioneer drives don't have a solution for now, so don't bother taking the drive out of the case.

In other words, if your drive is LG BE16NU50, ASUS BW-16D1H-U or Buffalo BRUHD-PU3, you can extract the drive from the case and connect it directly to the SATA bus of your PC. The first two can be done on a desktop computer, the third one is a slim drive so you need to use a laptop or a SATA connector adapter.

WARNING: taking your drive apart may void your warranty. Do it on your own risk! Always disconnect the power connector of the drive before proceeding to open it.

For LG BE16NU50:

Step 1 — Use a screwdriver, take out the screw on the back of the drive, then smoothly slide the case backward.

Step 2 — Then you'll see the USB bridge board attached to the back of the drive: unscrew and unplug it.

For ASUS BW-16D1H-U:

Step 1 — On the back of the drive there are four rubber legs, take the upper two off and then unscrew those screws as indicated in the picture.

Step 2 — Use a pry tool or a flathead screwdriver to pry the enclosure apart.

Step 3 — Unscrew the screws on the two sides that hold the UHD drive to the enclosure.

Step 4 — Pull off the wires to separate the UHD drive from the enclosure.

For Buffalo BRUHD-PU3 (Soon to be supported):

Step 1 — Firmly pull off the micro-USB 3.0 connector from the back, the one with the two wires.

Step 2 — Using a sharp blade, carefully pry the case apart. See the picture for inside of the case, what to expect.

Step 3 — Unscrew the two small screws that hold the drive to the case and pull the drive off from USB bridge board.

Step 4 — Use a SATA connector adapter if you connect with desktop cables. (BTW: The drive will have a different name when connected directly, but you'll recognize it by its firmware version)

While this connection to PC is only temporary, while you perform the firmware change, make sure that the SATA cables (data and power) are firmly attached and that the drive is in the horizontal position. Then you can proceed to power on the PC and continue as if the drive were internal. When you're done, power off the PC, unplug the drive and screw it back into the case.

① Downgrade the UHD-unfriendly firmware of a 4K UHD optical drive
② Support all the mainstream 4K UHD drives from major manufacturers
③ Constantly update the tool to support more 4K drives from the future
④ Make the downgraded 4K UHD drive compatible for 4K Blu-ray backup
⑤ Offer super-easy downgrade process operable even by unskilled hands